Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIEIaD OF THE INVENTION
The preseni~ invention relates generally to apparatus
- for use in performing gymnastics routines, and more particularly
to a gymnastics grip suitable for use on, for example, the
uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gymnastics is an increasingly popular and highly
competitive sport that is actually the aggregation of a number
of different exercises and gymnastic routines performed on a
variety of apparatus. Some of the most challenging gymnastic
routines are performed on the uneven bars, the high bar, and the
rings. While performing these different routines, a gymnast
holds onto one or more bars or rings, as appropriate, while
swinging his or her arms and body about same or in relation
thereto. The gymnast typically applies a slipping agent, such
as a chalk dust, a potader, or the like, to his or her hands to
allow for their easy sliding in relation to the bars) or rings
in question, and to reduce the potential friction therebetween.
As such, the high degree of strain that would ordinarily be
imposed upon the gymnast's forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers
in performing such a routine is, in fact~ further exacerbated by
the increased pressure that must, at times, be utilized by a
gymnast in order counter the slipping agent applied to the
gymnast's hands, so as to maintain a firm grip upon the
~5 apparatus when desired,. Common problems experienced by gymnasts
in practising for and performing uneven bar, high bar, or ring
routines can include any or all of the following: loss of grip
on the apparatus; muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists, hands
or fingers; the development of callouses on the fingers or
hands; and improper technique or improper grip on the
apparatus.
Only in recent times have gymnastics grips been
developed with the aim of overcoming one or more of these
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problems. A conventional gymnastics grip for use on the uneven
bars, the high bar, or the rings typically includes a leather
palm portion that, when worn, extends from the wrist to the
fingertips of the gymnast, a strap attached to a wrist end of
the palm portion for securing same to the gymnast's wrist, two
or three holes at a finger end of the palm portion for insertion
of fingers therethrough, and a transverse dowel, rib, or rod
member fixedly attached to a palm face of the palm portion, near
its finger end, by glue, a stitched sleeve, or some combination
thereof. An example of,such a gymnastics grip can be seen in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,001 (Goodson~ for a Gymnastics Safety Grip
Apparatus. Tt shoul.d be noted that the Goodson patent also
discloses an additional feature which is not relevant to the
present invention, namely, an elastic strap attached near the
T5 finger end of the palm portion, directed to preventing the
grip°s release frorl the gymnast's fingers during use.
Notwithstanding this feature, gymnastics grips of this general
type are well-known in the art to slow the formation of
callouses, to encourage proper technique, to improve a gymnast's
hold on the apparatus, and to reduce muscle fatigue and the
strain imposed upon the gymnast's forearms, wrists, hands, and
fingers.
Tn fact, dowels, ribs, and rod members are used in
sports grips for other uses. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,720,279 (Fritschen et al.) suggests a grip, for use in the
sport of water skiing, having a palm portion and a terminal
finger end thereof which is folded over a transverse ri.b and
stitched to itself to secure the rib in place. U.S. Patent No.
4,400,831 (Rietz) is also far use in water sportt~ and
specifically contemplates a transverse rib or dowel that is
tightly secured, by stitching and adhesive, inside a pocket
formed by a tuck or fold in a palm portion of a glove. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,000,903 (Swanson) illustrates a similar design for a
golf glove, having a cord or rod member positioned on the palm
portion of the glove, which rod member is secured in place,
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either by a tuck ir> the palm of the glove material which is
wrapped around the cord and closed by stitching, or by covering
the cord with a strip or sleeve of similar material, which
material is then j oined to the palm of the glove by a row of
S stitching running around the perimeter of the cord. The Swanson
patent contemplates that an adhesive might also be used in place
of the stitching.
A problem common to all of the prior art, including
each of the above listed references, which problem is
particularly acute in respect of gymnastics grips, is shat of
inadequate securement of the dowel to the palm portion of the
grip. Specifically, in the gymnastics context, dowels secured
inside pockets formed in the material of the grip, whether by
stitching, adhesive or a combination of both, are known to
frequently become de~~ached from the grip. Likewise, dowels
secured within a sleeve or flap attached -to the grip by adhesive
are known to be subject to unravelling. As well, because of the
magnitude and direction of the forces applied by a gymnast
performing on the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings,
stitching that is exposed wristward of a dowel secured thereby
is prone to excessive strain that is commonly known to rend and
unravel an otherwise enduring seam. All of these deficiencies
in the prior art ha~;re the effect of lessening the useful
lifetime and reliability of a grip. Moreover, should a
gymnastics grip actually fail while irl use by a gymnast, serious
injury and/or embarrassment to the wearer may occur.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making ,same, which gymnastics
grip is for use by a gymnast on the uneven bars, the high bar,
or the rings, and has a dowel member that is not prone to
unravelling or detachment.
Another object of one aspect of the invention is to
provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which
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gymnastics grip eliminates any stitching exposed wristward of
the dowel member, so as to decrease the forces directly at work
upon the stitching.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip has an increased durability, strength and useful lifetime.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip aids the gymnast in maintaining his or her hold on the
apparatus.
Still yet another object of the invention is to provide
a gymnastics grip, and a process for_ making same, which
gymnastics grip provides the gymnast with a more comfortable
grip upon the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings..
A further object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip reduces the predisposition for callous formation on the
fingers and hands of the gymnast.
A further object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip encourages the gymnast's use of proper technique and proper
grip on the apparatus.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip reduces muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists, hands and
fingers of a gymnast.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a
gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics
grip reduces the risk of serious injury to the gymnast.
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Still yet a further object of the invention is to
provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which
gymnastics grip is relatively easy and inexpensive to
manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVEla?TIOI~
In accordance with the present invention there is
disclosed a gymnastics grip and a process for making same, in
which the gymnastics grip has a palm portion, defining a
longitudinal axis, and a substantially cylindrical dowel member,
defining a dowel axis. The palm portion of the grip has a palm
faceo a wrist end portion, means for securing the wrist end
portion to a wrist of a gymnast, a finger end portion, and means
for securing the finger end portion to at least one finger of
the gymnast. The dowel member is attached to the palm face
adjacent the finger end portion, with the dowel axis in
substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of
the palm portion. In order to so attach the dowel member, a
flap member is secured adjacent to the palm face by one or more
first rows of stitching passing through the flap member and the
palm face in substantially parallel relation to the dowel axis.
The dowel member is positioned adjacent to the one or mare
first rows of stitching with the dowel axis in substantially
transverse relation to the longitudinal axis, as aforesaid. A
first flap portion of the flap member extends in a first
direction from the one or more first rows of stitching to
substantially surround the dowel member in first encircling
relation, without intervening between the one or more first rows
of stitching and the dowel member. The first flap portion is
secured adjacent a free end thereof to the palm face by one or
more second rows of stitching passing through the free end and
the palm face in substantially parallel relation to the first
row of stitching.
According to another aspect of the present invention,
the flap member may also have a second flap portion which
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extends in a second direction opposed to said first direction
from the one or more first rows of stitching to substantially
surround the dowel member in second encircling relation, such
that the first flap portion substantially surrounds both the
dowel member and the second flap portion in first encircling
relation.
According to a further aspect of the present invention,
the one or more second rows of stitching pass through the palm
face at a position located between the finger end portion and
the one or more first rows of stitching.
According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, an adhesive may be used on an inner face of the flap
member.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions
of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of
parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which are briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING>
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of a gymnastics grip according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a finger end portion
of the gymnastics grip of figure 1, shown in a first assembly
configuration.
Figure 2A is a left side elevational view of the
gymnastics grip of Figure 2.
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Figure 3 is a perspective view of the finger end
portion of the gymnastics grip of Figure 2, shown in a second
assembly configuration and showing a dowel member in phantom
outline.
Figure 3A is a left side elevational view of the
gymnastics grip of Figure 3.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the finger end
portion of the gymnastics grip of Figure 1, shown in a third
assembly configuration and showing a second flap portion in
phantom outline.
Figure 4A is a left side elevational view of the
gymnastics grip of Figure 4.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the finger end
portion of the gymnastics grip of Figure 1, shown in a fourth
assembly configuration and showing a first flap portion in
phantom outline.
Figure 5A is a left side elevational view of the
gymnastics grip of Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the finger end
portion of the improved gymnastics grip of Figure 1.
DETA~7LED DESCRTPTI01~ OF A IpREFERRED E1~ODIMEI~1T
Figure 1 shaves a preferred embodiment of a gymnastics
grip 20 comprising a palm portion 22 and a dowel member 24. The
palm portion 22 is of the convents.onal type for use by a gymnast
on the uneven bars or the rings, being constructed from leather,
defining a longitudinal axis '°A°', and comprising a palm face
26,
a wrist end portion 28, means 30 for securing the wrist end
portion 28 to a wrist of the gymnast, a finger end portion 32,
and means 34 for securing the finger end portion 32 to two
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fingers of the gymnast. The finger end securing means 34
comprises the shaping of the finger end portion 32 so as to
define two finger holes 35. The wrist end securing means 30
comprises a strap 36 attached to the wrist end portion 28. The
strap 36 is provided with means for self closure, preferably
comprising a buckle frame 39 and a VelcroTM hook 38a and loop 38b
closure system 38.
The dowel member 24 is also of the conventional type,
being substantially cylindrical and defining a dowel axis "B".
The dowel member 24 is preferably constructed from a semi-rigid
plastics material selected from the group consisting of ethylene
vinyl acetate, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, natural rubber,
synthetic rubber, and neoprene.
According to the invention, and with specific reference
to Figures l, 2, 3 and 6, the gymnastics grip 20 is provided
with means 40 for attaching the dowel member 24 to the palm face
26, adjacent the finger end portion 32, with the dowel axis "B"
in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis
"A". The dowel attaching means 40 comprises a flap member 42
secured adjacent to the palm face 26 by two first rows of
stitching 50, 50, which two first rows of stitching 50, 50,
while not being directly visible in either of Figures 1 or 6,
are clearly discernable in both Figures 2 and 3, the latter
figures showing the dowel attach=~ng means 40 respectively in a
first and a second assembly configuration. The two first rows
of stitching 50, 50 pass through the flap member 42 and the palm
face 26 in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal
axis ".A" and in substantially parallel relation to the dowel
axis "B". The flap member 42 may optionally have an adhesive
applied to an inner face 54 thereof.
A first flap portion 44 of the flap member 42 extends
in a first direction (as indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 2)
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from the two first rows of stitching 50, 50 to substantially
surround, in first encircling relation, both the dowel member 24
and a second flap portion 46 of the flap member 42. 'The second
flap portion 46 extends in a second direction (as indicated by
arrow "D°° in Figure 2), opposed to the first direction "C",
from
the two first rows of stitching 50, 50 to substantially surround
the dowel member 24 in second encircling relation. It is
essential that the first flap portion 44 must not intervene
between the two first rows of stitching 50, 50 and the dowel
member 24, but the second flap portion 46 may or may not do so,
depending on the precise positioning of the dowel member 24
relative to the flap member 42.
As seen most clearly in Figure 6, the first flap
portion 44 is secured adjacent a free end 48 thereof to the palm
face 26 by a second row of stitching 52 passing through the free
end 48 and the palm face 26 in substantially parallel relation
to the dowel axis °'B" (and the two first rows of stitching 50,
50). In the preferred embodiment shown, the dowel attaching
means 40 is oriented such that the second row of stitching 52 is
positioned between the finger end portion 32 and the two first
rows of stitching 50, 50.
In use, the gymnast p;_aces the palm face 26 of the
gymnastics grip 20 adjacent a palm of his or her hand and
inserts a middle and a ring finger of that hand into the two
finger holes 35, to snugly fit their tips therein. The gymnast
then secures the gymnastics grip 20 to his or her corresponding
wrist by wrapping the wrist end portion 28 thereabout, folding
the strap 36 back over itself after feeding an end thereof
through the buckle frame 39, and then wrapping the strap one or
more times around the wrist until. a first part of the hook 38a
and loop 38b closure system 38 securably engages with a second
complementary part of the hook 38a and loop 38b closure system
38 in removable relation. With the gymnastics grip 20 so
removably secured to the wrist and fingers of the gymnast, the
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substantially cylindrical dowel member 24 is positioned in
substantially transverse relation to the gymnast°s fingers and
to the longitudinal axis "A°' .
In performing a gymnastics routine on the uneven bars
or the rings, the gymnast naturally aligns the dowel axis
°°B'° of
the gymnastics grip 20 in substantially parallel relation either
with a longitudinal axis of one of the uneven bars, or with a
plane passing through three cross-sectional centers of a single
one of the rings, as appropriate, thereby encouraging use of
proper technique and grip on the apparatus, with the concomitant
advantage of reducing muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists,
hands and fingers of the gymnast. Also, with the dowel axis "B"
being aligned as aforesaid relative to the apparatus, the
positioning of the dowel member 24 allows the gymnast to exert
~5 an increased pressure on the apparatus when desired, thereby
helping the gymnast to maintain his or her hold thereon.
As is evident from the preceding description, and
unlike the prior art, the preferred embodiment of the present
gymnastics grip 20 does not have any stitching exposed wristward
of the dowel member 24; the two first rows of stitching 50, 50
are instead protected within the flap member 42 thereby
decreasing the forces directly at work upon same_ Accordingly,
the flap member 42 of the gymnastics grip 20 is less prone to
unravelling and detachment, with the dowel member 24 being
likewise protected, thus providing the gymnastics grip 20 of the
present invention with an increased durability, strength and
useful lifetime. As such, the gymnastics grip 20 of the present
invention is less likely to fail mid-routine. This fact,
combined with the grip's function in helping the gymnast to
maintain his or her hold on the apparatusg greatly reduces the
risk of serious injury to gymnasts using the gymnastics grip 20
of the present invention. Furthermore, because the two first
rows of stitching 50, 50 are not in direct contact with the palm
or fingers of the gymnast, a more comfortable grip upon the
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apparatus is provided that reduces the predisposition for
callous formation on the gymnast°s fingers and hands.
According to the invention, there is also disclosed a
process for making the gymnastics grip 20. Figures 2 through 5A
depict a number of assembly configurations, each corresponding
to the completion of an individual step to be performed
successively in the process disclosed herein for making the
gymnastics grip 20. In Figures 2 and 2A, the first assembly
configuration is shown. This first assembly configuration is
l0 arrived at by securing the flap member 42 adjacent to the palm
face 26 of the palm portion 22, and adjacent to the finger end
portion 32, through the application of the two fir st rows of
stitching 50, 50, each passing through the flap member 42 and
the palm face 26 in substantially transverse relation to the
longitudinal axis "A". According to the preferred process for
making the gymnastics grip 20, the flap member 42 is oriented
relative to the palm portion 22, such that the first flap
portion 44 extends from the two first rows of stitching 50, 50
in a substantially wristward direction., being substantially
towards the wrist end portion 28 of the palm portion 22, with
the first direction "C" accordingly being oriented in a likewise
manner. Conversely, also in the preferred process, the second
flap portion 46 extends in a substantially fingerward direction,
being substantially towards the finger end portion 32 of the
palm portion 22, with the second direction "D" being similarly
oriented. After so attaching the flap member 42 to the palm
face 26, an adhesive may optionally be applied to the inner face
54 of the flap member 42 to aid in securing the dowel member 24
to the palm portion 22.
The second assembly configuration, shown in Figures 3
and 3A, is then arrived at by moving the substantially
cylindrical dowel member 24 from a detached position (shown in
phantom outline in Figure 3), in a third direction (indicated by
arrow "E'° in Figure 3), to a position adjacent to the two first
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rows of stitching 50, 50 with the dowel axis "B" in
substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis "A"P
and with the dowel axis "B" in substantially parallel relation
to the first two rows of stitching 50, 50.
With specific reference to Figures 4 and 4A, a third
assembly configuration, shown therein, is next arrived at by
moving the second flap portion 46 of the flap member 42 from an
initial second flap position (shown in phantom outline), in a
fourth direction (as indicated by arrow "F"), so as to
substantially surround the dowel member 24. In the third
assembly configuration, the second flap portion 46 extends from
the first two rows of stitching 50, 50 in second encircling
relation about the dowel member 24.
In order to arrive at a fourth assembly configuration,
shown in Figures 5 and 5A, the first flap portion 44 is moved
from an initial first flap position (shown in phantom outline in
Figures 5 and 5A), in a fifth direction (as indicated by arrow
"G"), so as to substantially surround both the dowel member 24
and the second flap portion 46. In the fourth assembly
configuration, the first flap portion 44 extends from the first
two rows of stitching 50, 50 in first encircling relation about
both the dowel member 24 and the second flap portion 46, without
intervening between the first two rows of stitching 50, 50 and
the dowel member 24 (as is most clearly illustrated in Figure
5A). The first flap portion 44 is then secured adjacent the
free end 48 thereof to the palm face 26 by applying a second row
of stitching 52 passing through the free end 48 and the palm
face 26 in substantially parallel relation to the two first rows
of stitching 50, 50. According to the preferred process for
making the gymnastics grip 20P the second row of stitching 52
passes through the palm face 26 at a position located between
the finger end portion 32 and the two first rows of stitching
50, 50.
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According to the preferred process disclosed herein,
a first additional step, comprising the shaping of the finger
end portion 32 So as to define the two finger holes 35, may be
performed prior to, concurrent with, or following the
performance of any one of the individual steps corresponding
with the various assembly configurations discussed above.
Further, a second additional step may be performed
prior to, concurrent with, or following the performance of the
first additional step or any one of the individual steps
corresponding with the various assembly configurations discussed
above. In the second additional step, the strap 36 is attached
to the wrist end portion 28. The strap 36 is provided with
means for self closure comprising, in the preferred embodiment,
a buckle frame 39 and a VelcroTM hook 38a and loop 38b closure
system 38.
The process described in the preceding paragraphs is
relatively easy to perform, requiring only such stitching skills
as are already common in the industry, such that the gymnastics
grip 20 to be made thereby is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture.
Other modifications and alterations may be used in the
design and manufacture of the gymnastics grip 20, and the
process for making same, according to the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
which is limited only by the accompanying claims. For example,
the gymnastics grip 20 may be provided with three finger holes,
rather than two, so as to allow its use on the high bar. In
another example, the second row of stitching 52 might pass
through the palm face 26 at a position located between the two
first rows of stitching 50, 50 and the wrist end portion 28,
rather than between the two first rows of stitching 50, 50 and
the finger end portion 32. Likewise, the flap member 42 might
be provided without a second flap portion 46 altogether, such
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that the first flap portion 44 would surround only the dowel
member 24 in first encircling relation. Further, the wrist
end securing means 30 might instead comprise two or more straps.
As a still further example of a modification or alteration which
may be used in the design and manufacture of the gymnastics grip
20, and the process for making same, according to the present
invention, the means for self closure of the strap 36 might
comprise the shaping of the strap 36 so as to define a number of
strap holes therethrough, together with the provision of a
buckle tongue, attached to the buckle frame 39, for secure and
removable engagement with the strap holes.
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